Same route for Don’t Push It
Jonjo O’Neill’s gelding was pulled up in that handicap hurdle last March but famously galloped to glory at Aintree a few weeks later under Tony McCoy.
Connections are keen on taking that path again, although he does hold an entry in the Wiltshire County Show Supporting Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury on Saturday.
“He’s in on Saturday, but he’ll more than likely wait for the Pertemps at Cheltenham,” said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus.
“He’s come out of his last race very well (at Newbury last month) and Jonjo couldn’t be happier with him.”
Don’t Push It has been left shouldering top weight of 11st 10lb alone after Neptune Collonges was scratched at the first acceptance stage, for which there is still a field of 82, from an original entry of 101, for the world’s greatest steeplechase on April 9.
Just 2lb away is Midnight Chase, who has a major date at Cheltenham himself first in the totesport Gold Cup before any decision about Aintree is made.
“Midnight Chase is going for the Gold Cup first and we’ll see after that what will be on the agenda for him. No decisions will be made until we see how he is after Cheltenham,” said his trainer Neil Mulholland.
“He’s a horse that is improving and if he improves just that little bit more he is a lively contender, but until we run him in the Gold Cup, we don’t know.
“If he does run a big race at Cheltenham we could decide to keep him for next year’s Grand National – we’ll have to see.’’
Meanwhile Backspin, who was due to run at the Cheltenham Festival, has died after suffering a suspected heart attack in his box at Jonjo O’Neill’s stables. The six-year-old held entries in the Stan James Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at the big meeting in two weeks‘ time.
“He died in his box last night. It’s one of those things,” said Berry.
